Free If He's Dangerous by Hannah Howell

replied Max. “I did not tell him, although I was not pleased that I had to keep such secrets from him. That is not my way, as you well know.”
    â€œI know. My cousins told him for some reason. That is why they fled. Do you happen to know just how much they did tell him?”
    â€œNo, but you should be aware that your father has taken to ambling about his estate, on foot, weather permitting. Every day, shortly after breaking his fast. It is quite possible he saw something that stirred his curiosity and pressed young Peter and Cyrus for some answers.”
    â€œAnd they crumbled like stale biscuits.”
    â€œQuite possibly.”
    â€œI wish they had had the courage to tell me precisely what they told him before they ran for their lives.”
    â€œIt does not matter. It is time, I believe, to tell your father the truth.”
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    Lorelei sighed, unable to argue with that no matter how desperately she would like to. Her father was often distracted, lost in his books and papers, but once his curiosity was roused, he could prove to be very persistent until he got the answers he sought. There was a very good chance that something had caught his eye as he had ambled over his property, perhaps passing right by the gatehouse. Whatever her cousins had told him in answer to the questions he had asked would only have sharpened that curiosity. All she could do now was hope that her father would understand the continued need for secrecy. Sir Argus was a great deal stronger than when he had arrived at Sundunmoor, but he was still not ready for a confrontation with Cornick and his men. If nothing else, Max insisted that Argus should keep the wrapping about his ribs for at least another week.
    Straightening her shoulders, she stepped into her father’s library. He sat at his desk with his hands clasped in front of him. The fact that he had no book close at hand and had obviously been waiting for her did nothing to soothe her nerves. Lorelei glanced behind her, seeking some support from Max, only to find herself staring at the closed door. The coward has fled , she thought crossly, and turned to face her father again.
    â€œYou wished to see me, Papa?” she asked as she walked toward his desk.
    Roland Sundun, His Grace, the eighth Duke of Sundunmoor, studied his daughter as she approached him. A small, sweet memory twisted his heart for despite having his eyes she looked so much like her mother, the only one of his three wives that he truly cared for. He could not let that softness sway him, however. She was keeping secrets from him and may well have involved herself in something dangerous. The babbled explanations of the Dunn boys had not been much help, but Roland was determined to get to the truth now. He suspected Max knew the truth but would not press his butler, and friend, to break a pact with his daughter by questioning him.
    â€œSit down, m’dear.” He pointed to the chair set facing him across his wide desk. “I believe you have something to tell me.”
    â€œI do?” Lorelei clasped her hands in her lap, not wishing to reveal any unease or guilt.
    â€œLorelei, I know I am a negligent father. . . .”
    â€œOh, no, Papa. You are a wonderful father.”
    â€œYou say so because we both know that, much of the time, I have little idea of what is going on with my children.”
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    â€œI suspect anyone with so many children would be unable to know everything that went on with them.”
    â€œClever girl. Cease dancing about and tell me, who is the man you have hiding in my gatehouse?”
    â€œSir Argus Wherlocke. I would have thought my timid cousins would have revealed at least that much,” she muttered, silently swearing retribution on her cowardly cousins.
    â€œThey babbled and ran. I gleaned enough from their nearly insensible rush of words to know that I am correct in thinking something is going on out at that gatehouse.” He drummed his fingers